Shedding mechanism for circular looms



Sept. 19, 1939.

F. C. HALE SHEDDING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR Looms Eiled July 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 sept. 19, 1939. F, C HALE 2,173,163

.SHEDDING MECHANISMFOR CIRCULAR LOOMS Filed July 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFCE.

SHEDDING MECHANTSM FOR CIRCULAR LOOIVIS Application July 19, 1938, Serial No. 219,986 In Great Britain July 24, 1937 19 Claims.

The invention is concerned with shedding mechanism for circular looms.

In circular looms of the type adapted to Weave line fabric it is advantageous to arrange the Warp threads in the form of a cylinder and to shed the threads by mechanism which engages the threads between the supply and the fell of the fabric, the shedding mechanism bringing about radial movement of selected threads from the normal l0 warp line so as to form shed openings between the selected threads and the remaining threads. Such a shedding movement of the warp threads may be efected'by mechanism comprising one or more banks of radially disposed eyed healds each bank of which is arranged on suitable supports in such a manner that the heald eyes are substantially coincident with the normal line of the warp threads. One or more threads are passed through each heald eye and one or more 20.. adjacent threads are passed through ,the space between one heald and the next and so on round the loom. Where a plurality of banks of healds are employed threads which pass through heald eyes in one bank pass through the spaces between the healds of the remaining bank or banks. In this manner when the warp threads as a whole are deected radially with respect to the loom axis at a point between the healds and the thread supply and/or between one bank of healds and the next there is a tendency to move all the threads and the healds radially. Where, however, the healds lare incapable of radial movement threads which are not engaged by healds disposed between the pressing means and the fell of the fabric are moved to one side or the other of the restrained threads to form sheds. on the other hand, selected healds are freed for radial movement under the influence of the pressing means, e. g., in the manner described in U. S. 4m Patent No. 2,114,585, the threads controlled by such healds are permitted to move radially to form a shed with the restrained threads.

Where the healds are substantially unrestrained with respect to circumferential movement on their l supports and the pressing of the Warp threads is effected by means such as rotatable shedding Wheels between which and the warp threads there is relative circular motion With respect to` the loom axis, it is found that the motion of the y wheels relatively to the warp threads tends to urge the threads into a slight circumferential movement in addition to the radial movement with the result that the healds are caused to crowd together on -their supports. Such crowding oi the healds not only precludes even and Where,

regular spacing of the warp threads but also tends to prevent free radial movement under the influence ofthe shedding means of the warp threads which pass between the healds and as a consequence correct shedding of such threads is rendered uncertain.

It is an object of the invention so to improve circular loom shedding mechanism as to reduce the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Accordingly, shedding mechanism according to the invention comprises a plurality of heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, a support for the dents permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, pressing means for engaging and deflecting the Warp threads in a radial direction, guides for conning the movement of the pressing means to a radial direction, and means for imparting a radial movement to the pressing means. As the pressing means engage the threads, they impart a purely radial movement to the threads, this movement not resulting in any crowding of the dents but merely serving to separate threads held by dents from threads passing between the dents. Thus, considering a 2-bank mechanism, with stop means for preventing radial movement of any one bank at will, the threads entered in the perforations of the dents of the bank to which radial movement is denied by the stop means are separated from the threads that pass between the dents of that bank but are entered in the perforations of the dents of the other and unstopped bank. Similarly, with a plurality of banks greater than two, separation can be eiected between the threads of any combination of stopped banks and those of the unstopped banks.

During the operation of the mechanism the Warp thread spacing is maintained even and regular and free radial movement of those warp threads which pass between the heald dents is permitted.

The pressing means may be in the form of plate-like members (hereinafter referred to for convenience as plates) which are preferably supported in a frame disposed in close proximity to the warp threads, the frame being mounted in such a manner as to be incapable of circumferential movement relatively to the Warp threads. Preferably the frame lies inside the cylinder formed by the Warp threads, thereby leaving the threads accessible from the outside of the loom.

The individual supports for the plates may be in the form of radially disposed slides adapted to permit the ends of the plates to protrude from the frame to engage and press the warp threads at one end. Cams operate the slides to propel them progressively in a radial direction until the desired deflection of the warps is completed. The supports are preferably arranged in such a manner as to allow the plates to overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the loom, such arrangement being advantageous in that there is no possibility for any warp threads to remain unpressed by passing between the opposing edges of adjacent plates. After pressing the plates are returned to normal inoperative position by the tension in the warp threads which they engage. Such return may, however, be assisted by light springs secured in the supports.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which show the application of the invention to shedding mechanism of the type described in U. S. Patent No. 2,114,585.

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of the shedding mechanism extending round part of the loom periphery;

Fig. 2 is a part sectional elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 to show one stage of the shedding operation, and also showing the central shaft of the loom;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a detail of Fig. l, viewed on the line 3 3; and

Fig. fi is a view corresponding to part of the left-hand end of Fig. 2 to show a later stage in the shedding operation at the line 3--3 of Fig. l.

The normal (unshedded) line of the warp threads is indicated by the dotted line at I. For shedding, the warps are deflected from this line to position 2 (Fig. 2). This deflection takes place some distance above the shuttles 3 and between the shuttle and the point of deflection the warp threads are controlled by heald dents i which are supported by superposed bars 5, the dents being independent of each other so that each attempts to move outwards when the warp thread passing through its dent perforation 6 is deflected outwards. The independent dents are free to move circumferentially along the bars 5 and so each moves easily in a radial direction when impelled by deflection of its warp thread.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4 the dents 4 are arranged in several banks, predetermined threads being entered in the dents of any one bank, threads not so entered passing between the dents in that bank. In association with each bank is a stop 'I pivoted at 8 and controlled by a toggle 9 which is rocked about its pivot I0 by means of a cam II. A member I2 carried by a ring I3 arranged for rotation round the loom at the same speed as the shuttles 3 carries sets of cams II, each set having its cams disposed in such positions as to select desired toggles 9 to bring the stops I into or out of a position in which they would engage the corresponding banks of heald dents l when these dents are urged outwardly by the deflection of the warps. When the healds of any particular bank encounter a stop 'I, further deection of these dents is prevented and the corresponding warp threads remain substantially undeflected in their length below the healds. This undeflected length of the warp threads is indicated at I4. When, however, no stop is in line with the healds of a bank, the dents are free to move outwards with the warp threads and the threads arrive at position I5. Counting from the top in Fig. 2, banks I and d are so deflected as to permit the corresponding warp threads to arrive at position I5. Between two sheets of warp threads in positions I4 and I5 respectively is sufficient space for the nose I6 of the top plate 3a of the shuttle 3 to pass and continued rotation of the shuttle round the loom causes the shuttle to force its way between the two sheets.

The deflection of the warp threads from position I to position 2 is effected by a series of plates I 'I carried by radial slides I8 mounted in clips I9 on a ring 2i! secured to and above the frame 2| in which the heald banks are mounted. As is clear from Fig. 1, the plates I'I overlap each other and are bent backwards, as shown at 22, so that as the plates are pushed outwards to engage the warp threads no crevice is formed into which a thread might enter. To permit the overlapping, the ends of the plates II are deflected alternately upwards and downwards with respect to the slides I8, as is shown in Fig. 3, the slides having a common level.

The radial movement of the plates I'I is effected by means of a series of cams 23 consisting of angle section material depending downwardly from the under-edge of the annular ring 24 of a spider 25 mounted for free rotation about the central shaft 26 of the loom. The spider lies within the cylinder formed by the warp threads, but is conveniently driven from the ring I3 lying outside the warp threads, this ring rotating at the same speed as the shuttles to operate the cams II associated with each shuttle. and the cams 23 also requiring to be driven at shuttle speed. A ring II3 secured to the members I2 on the ring I3 therefore carries brackets 2'! on which are mounted pairs of rollers 28. With each pair of rollers 28 a roller 29 carried by the spider 25 engages, as is shown most clearly in Fig. l, the warp threads passing between the rollers 28 and the roller 2S as the rollers 28 are carried round the loom by the ring l I3. With the ring I I3 providing a driving member, the roller 29 is therefore propelled round the loom and carries the spider 25 with it.

As the warp threads pass from the nip between the roller 29 and the right hand roller 28 they are in the unshedded position I. Just prior to this the cam follower 30 on the slide I8 of the plate I'I lying opposite to these warp threads has been encountered by the forward end 3| of one of the cams 23, and just after this the curvature of the cam begins to propel the follower outwards so causing the plate II to deflect the warp threads outwards. This deflection continues progressively as indicated by the positons 32, 33 of the plates II until the warp threads have reached position 2 which, as explained above, is sufficient to carry the warp threads whose healds 4 have not encountered stops 'I outside the nose I 6 of the shuttle 3. Soon after a shuttle has passed between the two sheets into which the warps have bene divided the cam 23 ends, no further control by the cam being required and the warps pass as two sheets along two sides of the shuttle until they reach the rear end 34 of the shuttle when the two sheets of warps spring back once more into unshedded position I. Soon afterwards warp threads are again deflected by the plates I'I in a combination determined by the succeeding set of cams I I to prepare a new shed for the succeeding shuttle.

Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically the full section of a shuttle 3 pushed into the shed by vane-wheel mechanism X after the initial separation of the warps into two sheets. A plate I'I is freed from the cam 23 and has returned to its inner position I'ns by the pressure of the inner sheet 35 of Warps. The top plate 3a of the shuttle is wide enough to keep the inner and outer warp sheets 35, 34.3 clear of the spool Si, aided also by a middle plate S8. The square rear end Sli of the plate 3a allows the warps to return to a single sheet (unshedded position i) close behind the spool 3l?, and the corresponding healds also move clear of the stops i, which then can take up any neo7 positions selected by the cams i l.

It will be understood that several sets of rollers 28, T39 are provided round the loom circumference. It is not necessary, however, that one such set of rollers should be provided for each shuttle in Fig. 1; only one set is shown in a length occupied by four shuttles.

It will be seen that the action of the plates il is to move the warp threads radially outwards, since the movement of the plates is purely radial. The healds i follow this radial movement and the shedding movement effected by the plate li does not introduce any circumferential component of movement such as might tend to cause the healds d to bunch together. The healds therefore remain substantially evenly spaced and as the tensioned warp threads pass from the rear of the shuttle the healds are carried by the threads freely into their normal unshedded position.

The spider 25, brackets 2T, rollers 23, 29, rings i3, H3 and other parts rotating about the loom axis are preferably made of material of low specific gravity so as to be easily rotated and also easily brought to rest when the loom is to be stopped.

Having described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Sheddin'T mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, a support for the dents permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, pressing means for engaging and deflecting the warp threads in a radial direction, vguides for confining the movement of the pressing means to a radial direction, and means for imparting a radial in vement to the pressing means.

2. shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of radially movable heal-ds perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, superposed supports carrying the dents in a plurality of banks and permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, pressing means for engaging and deiiecting the warp threads in a radial direction, means for imparting a radial movement to the pressing means, and stop means for preventing radial movement of selected healds.

3. Shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of radially movable heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, superposed supports carrying the dents in a plurality of banks and permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, pressing means for engaging and deflecting the warp threads in a radial direction, guides for confining the movement of the pressing means to a radial direction, means for imparting a radial movement to the pressing means and stop means for preventing radial movement of selected heald dents.

4. shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, a support for the dents permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, plates overlapping each other in the circumferential direction of the loom for engaging and deflecting the Warp threads in a radial direction, guides for confining the movement of the plates to a radialdirection, and means for imparting a radial movement to the 10 plates.

5. shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of radially movable heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, superposed supports carrying the dents 15 in a plurality of banks and permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, plates overlapping each other in the circumferential direction of the loom for engaging and deflecting the warp threads in a radial direction, guides for confining the movement of the plates to a radial direction, means for imparting a radial movement to the plates, and stop means for preventing radial movement of selected heald 25 dents.

6. shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, a support for the dents permitting freedom of move- 30 ment for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, plates overlapping each other in the circumferential direction of the loom for engaging and delecting the warp threads in a radial direction, said plates having their overlapping ends bent backwards, guides for confining the movement of the plates :o a radial direction, and means for imparting a radial movement to the plates.

7. shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, a supl port for the dents permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, plates overlapping each other in the circumferential direction of the loom for engaging and deiiecting the warp threads in a radial direction, said plates being mounted on radially movable slides having a common level, the ends of the plates being deflected alternately upwards and downwards so as to overlap each other, guides for confining the movement of the plates toa radial direction, and means for imparting a radial movement to the plates.

8. Shedding mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the plates are mounted on radially movable slides having a common level, the ends of the plates being deflected alternately upwards and downwards so as to overlap each other. 60

shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising e. plurality of heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, a supfor the dents permitting freedom of movefo4 the dents in a circumferential direction 65 with respect to the loom axis, pressing means disposed inside the cylinder of warps for engaging and deiiecting the warp threads in a radial direction, guides. for confining the movement of the` pressing means to a radial direction, and 70 means for imparting a racial movement to the pressing means.

l0. Shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of radially movable heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, superposed supports carrying the dents in a plurality of banks and permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, pressing means disposed inside the cylinder of warps for engaging and deflecting the warp threads in a radial direction, guides for confining the movement of the pressing means to a radial direction, means for imparting a radial movement to the pressing means, and stop means for preventing radial movement of selected heald dents.

1l. Shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of radially movable heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, superposed supports carrying the dents in a plurality of banks and permitting freedom of movement with respect to the loom axis, plates overlapping each other in the circumferential direction of the loom for engaging and deecting the warp threads in a radial direction, said plates being disposed inside the cylinder of warps and mounted on radially movable slides having a common level, the ends of the plates being deected alternately upwards and downwards so as to overlap each other, guides for confining the movement of the plates to a radial direction, means for imparting a radial movement to the plates, and stop means for preventing radial movement of selected heald dents.

12. She-dding mechanism according to claim 9, comprising operating means for the pressing means inside the warp cylinder, a driving member outside the warp cylinder and rollers outside and inside the cylinder provi-ding a driving connection through the warps to the operating means.

13. shedding mechanism according to claim 10, comprising operating means for the pressing means inside the warp cylinder, a driving member outside the warp cylinder and rollers outside and inside the cylinder providing a driving' connection through the warps to the operating means.

14, shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of radially movable heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, superposed supports carrying the dents in a, plurality of banks and permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, plates overlapping each other in the circumferential direction of the loom for engaging and deflecting the warp threads in a radial direction, said plates being disposed inside the cylinder of warps, guides for ccnning the movement of the plates to a radial direction, operating means inside the Warp cylinder for imparting a radial movement to the plates, a driving member outside the warp cylinder and rollers outside and inside the cylinder providing a driving connection through the warps to the operating means, and stop means for preventing radial movement of selected heald dents.

l5. Shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, a support for the dents permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, pressing means for enga-ging and deflecting the warp threads in a radial direction, guides for confining the movement of the pressing means to a radial direction and cam means for imparting a radial movement to the pressing means.

16. Shedding mechanism for a circular loom comprising a plurality of radially movable heald dents perforated to receive predetermined warp threads, superposed supports carrying the dents in a plurality of banks and permitting freedom of movement for the dents in a circumferential direction with respect to the loom axis, pressing means for engaging and deecting the warp threads in a radial direction, guides for confining the movement of the pressing means to a radial direction, cam means for imparting a radial movement to the pressing means, and stop means for preventing radia1 movement of selected heald dents.

i7. Shedding mechanism according to claim l0, comprising operating means for the pressing means inside the warp cylinder, said operating means including cams for imparting the radial movement to the pressing means, a driving member outside the warp cylinder and rollers outside and inside the cylinder providing a driving connection through the warps to the operating means.

18. Shedding mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the cams end after they have imparted sufficient movement to the pressing means to permit the passage of a shuttle between the two sheets into which the warps have been divided by the pressing means and the heald dents.

19. Shedding mechanism according to claim 9, comprising operating means for the pressing means inside the warp cylinder, said operating means including cams for imparting the radial movement to the pressing means, said cams ending after they have imparted sucient movement to the pressing means to permit the passage of a shuttle between the two sheets into which the warps have been divided by the pressing means and the heald dents.

FRANK CORBYN HALE. 

